1. ABBA / BJÖRN AGAIN CHRONOLOGY
   

1945    Björn Ulvaeus born in Gothenburg, Sweden.

            Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad born in Bjorkasen, Near Narvik, Norway

 

1946    Benny Andersson born in Vallingby, Stockholm, Sweden

 

1947    Frida moves to Sweden with her Grandmother

 

1950    Agnetha Fältskog born in Jonkoping, Sweden

 

1964 - Benny joins "The Hep Stars". "The Hootenanny Singers" featuring Björn sign to Polar Music and they meet ABBA's future manager Stikkan 'Stig' Anderson

 

1965 - Cadillac becomes "The Hep Stars" first hit

 

1966 - Benny and Björn meet and later write their first song "Isn't it easy to say"

 

1967 - Frida wins a talent contest on Swedish TV and a recording contract with EMI. Agnetha is signed by Cupol Records

 

1968 - Agnetha has her first hit single "Jag Var Så Kär"

 

1969 - Agnetha and Björn meet on a TV show  whilst Benny and Frida meet at a night club

 

1970 - Benny and Björn release their album "Lycka". Backing vocals courtesy of Frida and Agnetha. The girls help out the boys on stage to perform at the Trägarn Club in Gothenburg. A disaster. But in December of that year they perform at the Strand Club in Stockholm, where the reception is positive.

 

1971 - Björn and Agnetha get married. Benny and Björn become producers and partners at Polar music with Stig Anderson. Another one off performance in Gothenburg by the foursome but no plans for a group.

 

1972 - First single release "People Need Love" a hit with artist title being their Christian names. The song also reaches No. 115 in the USA Singles chart. "He is your brother" is another hit that year. Agnetha takes the role Mary Magdalena in the Swedish version of  "Jesus Christ Superstar".

 

1973 - "Ring Ring" misses the selection for Eurovision, but singles and album of the same name hold the three top slots in Sweden's combination chart. Tour of the Folk Parks in Sweden consisted of 80 shows that year. The name ABBA now officially adopted as the group's name before the year is out.

 

1974 - Won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton with the song "Waterloo". The song hits number 1 in many countries and number 6 in the USA. "Waterloo" album released world-wide. "Ring Ring" and "So Long" are released as singles. Last quarter ABBA begin a short Scandinavian and European tour which takes them through to the beginning of 1975.

 

1975 - Singles "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "S.O.S" and "Mamma Mia!" are released along with the self titled album "ABBA". The group are booked out with plenty of promotional work, yet are still able to do a small tour of Sweden during the summer. "Greatest Hits" is released and work begins on Michael B. Tretow's album "Let's Boogie" with contributions being made by the ABBA members.

 

1976 - "ABBA mania" begins with a run of number of number 1 albums - "Greatest Hits" and "Arrival" - and singles - "Mamma Mia", "Fernando", and "Dancing Queen". "Money Money Money" is a Top 5 hit. - being released. TV specials include "ABBA In Australia", "ABBA Musikladen", "ABBA DABBA DO" and "ABBA in Poland - Studio 2". "Dancing Queen" is performed at the Royal Gala, Sweden. ABBA make their first promotional trip to Australia and they return to the USA later that year.

 

1977 - ABBA embark on their European and Australian Tour. Ticket requests are in their millions and totally outstrip supply. Two shows at Royal Albert Hall London attract 3.5 million enquiries alone!! "Dancing Queen" becomes ABBA's first and only number 1 in the USA singles chart. "Knowing Me Knowing You" and "The Name Of The Game" are world-wide smashes. World premiere of "ABBA The Movie" takes place in Australia on 15th December.

 

1978 - "ABBA The Album" is released along with singles "Take A Chance On Me" and "Summer Night City", and Europe also get "Eagle"/"Thank You For The Music" as a single too. "ABBA The Movie" becomes a massive cinema hit. May is ABBA Month in the USA and the group are guests on the "Olivia" show. ABBA's own Polar Recording Studios Open. Benny and Frida marry after a nine year engagement. ABBA make their first promotional trip to Japan.

 

1979 - ABBA donate their single "Chiquitita" to U.N.I.C.E.F and perform the song in a gala TV special "A Gift Of Song"  for the year of the child. The Spanish version of "Chiquitita" is a major smash in Mexico selling over 1 million copies. The disco orientated album "Voulez Vous" becomes another number 1 in many countries and is later followed by "Greatest Hits Vol. 2". The singles "Does Your Mother Know", "Angeleyes"/"Voulez Vous", "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" and "I Have A Dream" all become hits. ABBA appear in their own TV Special "ABBA In Switzerland" with polished glitzy performances. Agnetha and Björn's marriage ends in divorce. ABBA begin their tour of Europe, USA and Canada. It is to be their last major tour. In Sweden the album "Tio Ar Med Agnetha" (Ten years with Agnetha) is released.

 

1980 - March sees ABBA conclude their tour with dates in Japan. The album "Gracias Por La Musica" is released to Spanish/Latin American territories. It's success encourages the group to record the occasional ABBA song in Spanish. "The Winner Takes It All" and "Super Trouper" are released as singles the latter also being the title of the album release. The winning formula marches on. The TV special "ABBA Words and Music" is recorded. Agnetha and her daughter Linda release an album of Christmas songs in Sweden - "Nu Tandas Tusen Julejius".

 

1981 - Björn marries Lena Kallersjö. Frida and Benny announce they are to divorce. "Lay All Your Love On Me" is released as a 12" single in the UK. A first and reaches Number 7 in the singles chart. The group record a TV special "Dick Cavett Meets ABBA". The heart rending song "One Of Us" is released as single just in time for Christmas. ( In the USA "When All Is Said and Done" is released instead). "The Visitors" becomes the last full studio album ABBA are to record. Both single and album are massive hits. Benny marries Mona Norklit

 

1982 - ABBA celebrate their Tenth Anniversary with a party at The Belfry Club, London. "Head Over Heels", "The Day Before You Came" and "Under Attack" are released as singles. The double album "ABBA The Singles The First Ten Years" is released. Frida releases her first English solo album "Something's Going On" (produced by Phil Collins) and three subsequent singles are released. Benny and Björn announce their musical collaboration with Tim Rice

 

1983 - "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" is Agnetha's first English album release containing three hit singles. In Sweden Agnetha records the theme song to the film "P and B" entitled "It's so nice to be rich". The musical "ABBACADABRA" premiers in London's West End for a short theatre run. "Thank You For The Music" is released as a single and various Love Songs albums follow that year. In the UK it's "Thank You For The Music - A Collection of love Songs". ABBA is "resting" we are told. No official announcement ever made to say the group have split up.

 

1984 - The album for the Musical "Chess" is released. A hit in the charts. "One Night In Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well" go on to be hit singles from the show. Frida's album "Shine" is released. Singles collection box sets are released in the UK and Germany to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ABBA's Eurovision win.

 

1985 - "Eyes Of A Woman" becomes Agnetha's second English album release. Brother/sister Duo Karen and Anders Glenmark release the album "Gemini" written and produced by Benny and Björn. "Chess On Tour" premieres in London on the 27th October and a series of concerts follow.

1986 - ABBA perform together on Swedish TV for the last time paying tribute to Stig Anderson. "Chess" becomes a massive hit musical in London's West End. This is later followed by shows in Australia and the USA and then tours and concerts. Agnetha records two duets with singer Ola Hakansson "The Way You Are" and "Fly Like The Eagle". Frida moves to Switzerland. "ABBA Live" is released as an album but the UK misses out due to copyright problems.

1987 - Another bunch of Benny and Björn songs is recorded by "Gemini" this time entitled "Geminism". Agnetha releases her album "I Stand Alone" but release is delayed in the UK to the following year. She also releases an album of children's songs with her son Christian in Sweden. Benny releases his first solo album in Scandinavia "Klinga Mina Klockor" and it's a big success. Frida records the song "Sa Lange Vi Här Varann" (As Long As I Have You) with the group "Ratata"

1988 - Agnetha makes an appearance on the British TV show "Wogan" to perform her single "The Last Time" and be interviewed. 'Chess' premieres in the USA on Broadway 28th April but the show run is short. Benny performs with the "Orsa Spelmän". Björn Again form in Melbourne, Australia, in October, by Rod Leissle and John Tyrrell.

1989 - Benny releases his second solo album in Sweden "November 1989". He also produces the second album by "Orsa Spelmän".  On May 6th 1989, Björn Again perform their first show at The Tote in Melbourne.

1990 - Benny and Björn write a song to support the Swedish team in the International Equestrian Championships. Benny co-produces an album of bird songs entitled "Fagelsang I Sverige". Agnetha marries Tomas Sonnenfeld (the marriage ends three years later). Polygram International buy the ABBA Catalogue. Björn Again perform their first overseas tour to, of all places, Sweden!

1991 - Benny co-writes the songs "Lassie" and "Alska Mej" for the Ainbusk Singers. Benny and Björn write "Beatrice", a hit single for artist Kalle Moraeus in Sweden. Björn Again tour the UK for the first time.

1992 - Erasure release their 4 track EP "ABBA-ESQUE" which goes straight to number 1. Benny writes the theme song for the European Football Championships hosted by Sweden. Frida organises a benefit concert during the Swedish Water Festival in which she also performs. A single follows "Anglamark"/"Saltwater". Frida marries Ruzzo Reuss in Denmark (he sadly died in 1999 after a short illness). "ABBA Gold Greatest Hits" is released and becomes a massive number 1 world-wide success. "Dancing Queen" is also re-released as a single. The ABBA Revival has begun. Benny and Bjorn join "U2" on stage in Stockholm and "Dancing Queen" is performed with Bono. Björn Again release their first single “A Little Respect” which reaches No 25 on the UK charts. Björn Again are added to the list of headline acts at The UK Reading Festival at the request of Nirvana. Björn Again perform at The Royal Albert Hall in London (Dec) with John on drums and Rod on bass.

1993 - Benny and Björn write an album for artist Josefin Nilsson entitled "Shapes" and four singles are released. The book "ABBA Gold The Complete Story" by John Tobler is released. "More ABBA Gold" is released world-wide and includes the previously unavailable song "I Am The City". Another hit album and a video collection too. In the UK BBC TV screen their own TV tribute special "A For ABBA". The members do not appear. "Dancing Queen" is performed by Frida and The Real Group accapella style at Queen Sylvia's 50th Birthday gala. Björn Again perform their second show at The Royal Albert Hall in London (Dec).

1994 - A four CD box set is released - "Thank You For The Music" - containing some previously unreleased material. The video "Thank You ABBA" is also released. "ABBA The Complete Recording Sessions" by Carl Magnus Palm makes it to the book shelves. Björn Again tour North America for the first time.

1995 - Benny and Björn's new Musical "Kristina Från Duvemala" premieres in Malmo on 7th October. The book "ABBA The Name Of The Game" by Andrew Oldham, Tony Calder and Colin Irwin is released.

1996 - A three CD set of "Kristina Från Duvemala" is released and contains several hit singles. Frida makes her comeback in Sweden. "Djupa Andetag" becomes a number 1 hit album. "My Love My Life" double hits package is released by Agnetha in Sweden. Agnetha's book "Som Jag Ar" written by Brita Ahman is also released. "ABBA Forever Gold" is released and with some copies there is a bonus CD single "Put On Your White Sombrero". There is also a video release of the same name. Two Concerts of "Kristina Från Duvemala" are performed in Minnesota, USA. Benny writes additional music for the Swedish entry of the Equestrian events at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. Björn Again now comprise all UK band members.

1997 - ABBA's nine original albums are remastered, repackaged and released. "Shapes" by Josefin Nilsson is released in the USA. EMI Sweden release a double CD collection entitled "Frida 1967 - 1972". The book "As I Am - ABBA Before and Beyond" by Agnetha and Brita Ahman is released in English. ABBA Manager Stig Anderson dies of a heart attack at his home on 12th September

1998 - "Kristina Från Duvemala" premieres in Stockholm Sweden on 14th November. "That's Me The Greatest Hits" by Agnetha is released. "ABBA The Love Songs" is released. A series of  'B&B concerts' in tribute to Benny and Bjorn are performed in Sweden and  China by top artists. Björn Again play their ‘Fantasy Dress Ball” at the Royal Albert Hall London on May 1st 1998. The concert is released on CD and Video. Björn Again support The Spice Girls at their 2 Wembley Stadium shows - August.

1999 - ABBA's Silver Anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest. The outfits worn are displayed in London. The Brit Awards pay tribute to ABBA with a medley performed by top stars. It becomes a single. Björn makes an appearance at the Brit Awards in London. "ABBA Gold" is released with a signature cover - it hits number 1 again. "ABBA The Singles Collection" is released in a limited edition silver tin. "Mamma Mia!" premieres at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on 6th April to rave reviews. "The ABBA Story - The Winner Takes It All" TV special is screened world-wide. The ABBA members take part. It is later released on Video. Björn Again’s premiere documentary “ABBA:BJÖRN AGAIN” is broadcast on UK TV.

2000 - "ABBA The Exhibition" opens at the Nordiska Museum, in Stockholm in January. Agnetha makes the headlines. Newspapers report she is being stalked. "Mamma Mia!" premieres in Toronto Canada on 23rd May. Frida joins Benny and Björn at the opening. "ABBA The Book" by Jean - Marie Potiez is released. "From ABBA To Mamma Mia!" by Anders Hanser and Carl Magnus Palm is released. The Swedish version of this book was released the previous year.

2001 - "Mamma Mia!" premieres in Melbourne, Australia to much critical acclaim and a theatre tour begins in the USA. Universal re-release ABBA's studio albums with revamped covers, additional photographs and new sleeve notes. Formats are Vinyl albums, Digi packs and CDs. Benny releases a new album in Sweden called "Orkestra" and it sails to the number 1 slot. Agnetha is back in the recording studio. Several books featuring ABBA are released but it's the long awaited "Bright Lights, Dark Shadows - The Real Story Of ABBA" by Carl Magnus Palm that steals the limelight. Frida decides to run a charity auction to raise funds for a specialised Children's Home in Misery, Switzerland. She sells personal and ABBA related items. "ABBA - The Definitive Collection" double CD is released containing all their singles on 15th October. "Mamma Mia!" premieres on Broadway, 18th October. "ABBA Gold" sells over 22 million world-wide.

 

2002 - "Chess" makes it premiere in Sweden. The German version of "Mamma Mia!" premieres in Hamburg. Frida records a duet 'La Barcarolle' with Italian soprano Phillipa Guardino. Benny and Björn receive the Special International Ivor Novello Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. Björn Again Australian lineup established.

 

2003 - Björn forms "Noteheads" with Per Gessle and Christer Sturmark, publishing digital sheet music. "Mamma Mia!" premieres in Las Vegas with Frida and Bjorn in attendance. Benny is co-owner of a hotel in Stockholm. Hotel Riva opened it's doors on 6th August that year. Frida releases a charity single with Dan Daniëll. The single contains three songs including "I Have A Dream". The Dutch version of "Mamma Mia!" opens in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Benny and Frida attend the screening of the newly restored "ABBA The Movie" in Stockholm.

 

2004 - Agnetha releases a new album entitled "My Colouring Book"  with two subsequent single releases. All become chart hits and TV specials follow. "Mamma Mia!" opens in Korea, Stuttgart, Dublin, and Madrid. It's the fifth anniversary of "Mamma Mia!" in London and celebrations are attended by Björn, Benny and Frida. Later that year the musical moves to Prince Of Wales Theatre opening with a Royal Charity Gala Performance in front of HRH Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. Polar Music Studio closes and "ABBA's Last Video" is screened at the Eurovision Song Contest featuring puppets of the band and the group members making cameo appearances marking the 30th Anniversary since ABBA's victory. It is later released on DVD along with a new DVD entitled "Super Troupers". The album "Waterloo" is released as deluxe edition. BAO release a second album followed by a tour and Frida records and performs the song "The Sun Will Shine Again" with Jon Lord of Deep Purple. And a box set collection of Agnetha's Swedish albums is released at the end of that year.

 

2005 - "Mamma Mia!" premieres at the Cirkus Theatre, Stockholm on 12th February. All four ABBA members are in attendance much to the excitement of the public and media. The musical tours Belgium and closes in Melbourne, Australia. Björn performs 'Marianne' with the Hootenanny Singers at the Visfestivalen in Västervik and the Benny Andersson Orkester (BAO) are doing a summer tour. Frida and Agnetha's Polar Music albums are remastered and re-released with bonus tracks. Madonna samples ABBA on her hit single "Hung Up" And "ABBA The Movie" is released on DVD along with a limited 2 set collection. Two boxed sets are also released. "ABBA The Complete Studio Recordings" and "Frida 4 x CD 1 x DVD" celebrating her 60th birthday.

 

2006 - ABBA's classic album "Arrival" is released as a double deluxe set of CD and DVD. "Greatest Hits" is released on CD with the original Swedish sleeve. A new compilation collection "ABBA Number Ones" is released and "ABBA The Movie" wins a Swedish Grammy Award for best DVD. It is announced that an ABBA Museum will open in Stockholm in 2009. BAO perform in Minnesota and Minneapolis, USA and release a live in concert album. Tom Hanks announces he is to produce the film "Mamma Mia!" along with Benny and Björn whilst the musical opens in Moscow and celebrates it's 5th anniversary on Broadway. The book "A Tribute To Frida" by Jean-Marie Potiez  and Philippe Elan is released. Benny and Björn's only album "Lycka" is remastered and re-released with bonus tracks. Anne Sofie Von Otter's album "I Let The Music Speak" is released containing covers of ABBA, Chess and Kristina songs. Benny makes an appearance on this album. Bjorn appears as a guest and mentor on the UK TV show "X-Factor". Björn Again UK lineup supports Kylie Minogue’s New Year’s Eve Party at Wembley Arena.

 

2007 - "ABBA The Album" is released as a double deluxe set of CD and DVD. "Mamma Mia!" closes in Stockholm and opens in Gothenburg, and Essen (Germany). Recording sessions for the film "Mamma Mia!" begin and filming begins at Pinewood Studios.  "BAO" win the 'Best Dance Band' 2007 at the Swedish Grammy Awards, they do another tour and record another album. There are three 'Benny Andersson Tribute Concerts' in Sweden performed by top Swedish artists. Björn does an interview about religio. Frida and Agnetha are kept busy on the social scene and attending charity events. Björn Again launch their 18th Anniversary tour with 2 sellout shows at the Sydney Opera House Australia 

 

2008 - The film "Mamma Mia!" premieres in September ‘08. The film stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julie Walters.

2009 - Bjorn Again celebrate their 20th Anniversary with tours all around the world

ABBA components collated and written by Kathryn Courtney - O'Neill.

Official ABBA News Service, Bristol, UK.

Kacey-O'Neill Copyright 2007.